Formative research for an mHealth program to improve the HIV care continuum in South Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID19440008
AuthorsLisa DiAndreth (Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA, corresponding author), Nandita Krishnan (0000-0003-4957-2061, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Jessica L Elf (0000-0002-4298-6395, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Sarah Cox (0000-0003-0670-0692, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Carla Tilchin (0000-0003-3220-377X, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Munei Nthulana (Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto, South Africa), Brooke A Jarrett (0000-0003-2966-3521, Johns Hopkins University), Brooke Jarrett (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Nadya Kronis (Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA), Elisa Dupuis (Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA), Katlego Motlhaoleng (0000-0001-7644-1038, Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto, South Africa), Sandy Chon (Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA), Neil Martinson (0000-0002-0184-5705, Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA), Jonathan E Golub (0000-0003-2398-3145, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA)
Year2020
Volume32
Issue6
Pages744-748
Publication date2020-06-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2019.1640850
PMID31298566
OpenAlexW2961295594
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited20

In South Africa, high attrition rates throughout the care continuum present major barriers to controlling the HIV epidemic. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions may provide innovative opportunities for efficient healthcare delivery and improving retention in care. In this formative research, we interviewed 11 patients and 28 healthcare providers in North West Province, South Africa, to identify perceived benefits, concerns and suggestions for a future mHealth program to deliver HIV Viral Load and CD4 Count test results directly to patients via mobile phone. Thematic analysis found that reduced workload for providers, reduced wait times for patients, potential expanded uses and patient empowerment were the main perceived benefits of an mHealth program. Perceived concerns included privacy, disseminating distressing results through text messages and patients' inability to interpret results. Participants felt that an mHealth program should complement face-to-face interactions and educational information to interpret results is needed. Providers identified logistical considerations and suggested protocols be developed. An mHealth program to deliver HIV test results directly to patients could mitigate multiple barriers to care but needs to be tested for efficacy. Concerns identified by patients and providers must be addressed in designing the program to successfully integrate with health facility workflow and ensure its sustainability

Formative assessment · Health care · Medical education · mHealth · Mobile phone · Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Telemedicine · Thematic analysis · Workflow · Computer Science · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · ICT in Developing Communities · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Nursing · Psychology

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